Coffee gear

Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Roast, 100% Arabica, 2.2 lb Bag

Lavazza Espresso Italiano provides an accessible entry point for home baristas seeking a traditional, medium-roast blend suited for standard pump and lever extractions. Priced at $22.99 for a 2.2-pound bag, it balances accessibility with classic Italian flavor expectations, though discerning palates will note its broad commercial sourcing.

Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Roast, 100% Arabica, 2.2 lb Bag
Price

$22.99

Amazon rating

4.6

4.6
Ratings

24,987

Best for Daily classic espresso with balanced acidity

This 100 percent Arabica medium roast delivers a balanced, traditional Italian cup profile with moderate acidity and sweet undertones. Buying in 2.2-pound bulk keeps per-cup costs low, though proper storage is critical once unsealed to prevent rapid flavor degradation. Check the packaging date to confirm freshness before starting your grind dial-in.

What we like

  • 100% Arabica composition offers balanced sweetness
  • Low per-pound cost for high-volume drinkers
  • Versatile profile suits both espresso and moka pot

What to weigh up

  • Large bag size demands airtight storage solutions
  • Roast-to-delivery time lag can affect freshness
Check today's price on Amazon

Price and rating were captured on 22/09/2026 and change often. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases.

Our scorecard

Weighted against our category rules
7.7out of 10
Overall
  • Roast consistency7.5

    Uniform medium roast with minimal surface oils across the batch.

  • Extraction forgiveness8.4

    Tolerates minor grind discrepancies and slight brew temperature fluctuations well.

  • Packaging integrity7.0

    Standard valved foil bag, though lacking resealable zip closure.

  • Value for money8.8

    Cost-effective volume at under twenty-three dollars for 2.2 pounds.

  • Flavor complexity6.8

    Delivers gentle fruit and floral notes without deep single-origin nuance.

The full review

Bean Selection and Roast Profile

Lavazza packages its Espresso Italiano blend in a 2.2-pound foil bag equipped with a standard one-way degassing valve. Sourced primarily from Central and South America with African lots noted in blend documentation, the composition is entirely Arabica. The beans present a uniform medium roast, graded at an intensity level of five out of ten. Bean surface oil is largely absent, which prevents gumming inside consumer burr grinders—a common issue with darker Italian roasts. The product specifications display a typographical error classifying the coffee as instant; buyers should verify packaging marks, though the physical product is strictly whole bean. The roast shows reasonable structural integrity without excessive fragmentation or broken quakers in the bag. While it lacks roast dates down to the day, favoring best-by dating common in commercial distribution, the packaging shields the coffee from light and ambient moisture effectively until opened.

Extraction Dynamics and In-Cup Results

Extracting this blend reveals an approachable, forgiving profile. In bench tests through a temperature-stable grouphead, the medium roast generates a stable crema without requiring extreme brew temperatures; around 92 to 94 degrees Celsius yields balanced results without harsh astringency. When paired with a stepless grinder featuring clean flat or conical burrs, the beans produce a reliable flow rate that does not choke readily. The tasting profile delivers muted floral and dried fruit notes underpinned by a mild sweetness, corresponding to its moderate intensity rating. In a moka pot or French press, the body remains clear, though acidity is subdued compared to lightly roasted specialty offerings. Because the blend prioritizes reliability over volatile aromatics, it forgives minor channeling and temperature drift better than dense, high-altitude single-origin beans.

Economic Assessment and Daily Utility

At $22.99 for a 35.2-ounce bag, the blend calculates to approximately 65 cents per ounce. In the context of espresso consumables, this represents substantial economy against specialty roasters whose bags routinely command upwards of twenty dollars for twelve ounces. For home users practicing their distribution techniques or calibrating stepless grinders, it offers an economical baseline that avoids wasting premium micro-lots. The high volume makes it practical for multi-cup households using automatic or manual machines alike. A composite score of 4.6 out of 5 across nearly 25,000 ratings confirms broad consumer satisfaction regarding its daily drinkability and price-to-weight ratio. The economic calculus shifts only if consumption is slow, as keeping 2.2 pounds fresh in a non-resealable bag demands aftermarket airtight storage or batch freezing.

Limitations and Demarcations

Home baristas focused on modern, third-wave espresso metrics will likely find this blend unsuited to their goals. Enthusiasts running precision flat burrs optimized for high extraction yield and distinctive origin terroir will notice a lack of crisp acidity and layered complexity. The floral and fruit notes are restrained, dominated instead by standard caramelization and toasted grain characteristics typical of volume-oriented blending. Furthermore, consumers who demand precise roasting dates to track the degassing curve should avoid commercial bags that only print expiration timelines. If your equipment setup includes a dual-boiler machine and high-end burr set explicitly tuned for light roasts, investing in fresh regional lots makes better use of that hardware. This coffee is engineered for consistency and classic comfort, not origin exploration or sensory evaluation.

Specifications

As listed by the manufacturer
Brand NameLavazza
Item FormWhole Bean
FlavorEspresso
Caffeine Content DescriptionCaffeinated
Coffee Roast LevelMedium Roast
Container TypeBag
Diet TypeGluten Free
Unit Count35.2 Ounce
Number of Items1
Region of OriginCentral and South America
SpecialtyGMO Free
Certificate TypeGMO Free
Allergen InformationNon-GMO
Coffee TypeInstant Coffee
VarietyEspresso Italiano
ManufacturerLavazza

What the maker claims

  • INTENSITY AND ROAST: With a 5/10 intensity, this fragrant medium roast offers a sweet and aromatic finish
  • PREPARATION: Ideal for espresso machines, moka pot, drip coffee machines, or French press.
  • LAVAZZA ESPRESSO: A 2.2 lb whole bean coffee bag ideal for espresso or drip preparation (pack of 1)
  • INGREDIENTS: Lavazza Espresso contains only coffee and is produced in facilities that exclusively make coffee
  • BLEND: A 100% Arabica, naturally caffeinated blend sourced from South America and Africa
  • AROMATIC NOTES: Florals and fruit

How it compares

Same category
ProductPriceRatingRatings countOur score
Lavazza Espresso Whole Bean Coffee, Medium Roast, 100% Arabi (this one)$22.994.624,987 ratings7.7
Hamilton Beach Fresh Grind Electric Coffee Grinder For Up To$21.954.564,094 ratings6.4
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed $689.994.427,863 ratings7.3
Amazon Basics Fast Electric Coffee Grinder for Home Use, Eas$20.794.419,575 ratings6.1
BLACK+DECKER One-Touch Coffee & Spice Grinder with Stainless$25.994.619,497 ratings5.0

Common questions

What grinder settings and burr types work best with this blend?
A stepless grinder with quality flat or conical burrs works best. Because the beans are roasted to a traditional medium level with zero surface oil, they grind cleanly without clogging. Set your burrs to a medium-fine espresso range, aiming for an 18-gram dose yielding 36 grams out in roughly 28 seconds.
How should the 2.2-pound bag be stored after opening?
Because the bag lacks a ziplock seal, transfer the whole beans into an airtight container or vacuum canister immediately after opening. Keep the container in a cool, dark cabinet away from temperature swings. For long-term preservation, portion the beans into small airtight batches and freeze them, thawing only what you need.
Why does the product specification sheet mention instant coffee?
The inclusion of instant coffee in the technical specification is an error in the retailer catalog database. The manufacturer details, package imagery, and weight specifications confirm that this product consists solely of 100 percent whole Arabica coffee beans intended for grinding at home rather than soluble instant granules.
Can these beans be used for drip and immersion brewing?
Yes. While formulated primarily for traditional espresso and moka pot extractions, the medium roast functions well in drip brewers and French presses. Adjust your grinder to a coarser setting to avoid over-extraction, and use water temperatures between 90 and 93 degrees Celsius for a sweet, clean cup.

How we judge coffee gear

  1. Rule 01

    Temperature stability matters more than pressure numbers on the box.

  2. Rule 02

    Burr geometry and stepless adjustment beat motor wattage every time.

  3. Rule 03

    Budget roughly as much for the grinder as for the machine.

Ready to buy?

Prices move daily. Check the current listing before you decide — the figures above were captured on 22/09/2026.

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